UpCloud
UpCloud is a Helsinki-based cloud infrastructure provider operating 15 data centers across 12 countries, offering compute, GPU, storage, and managed services to 10,000+ organizations with a focus on European data sovereignty, proprietary high-performance storage, and zero-cost egress.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What UpCloud does
UpCloud is a Finnish cloud infrastructure provider founded in 2011 and headquartered in Helsinki, operating 15 data centers across 12 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. The platform delivers compute, storage, networking, and managed services built on 5th Gen AMD EPYC 9575F processors, proprietary MaxIOPS all-flash storage (up to 100,000 IOPS), and an in-house private global backbone network. The product portfolio spans Cloud Servers, GPU Servers with NVIDIA L4/L40S/H100/B200 instances, Private Cloud, Managed Kubernetes (CNCF-certified), Managed Databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Valkey, OpenSearch), Block/File/Object Storage, and a software-defined networking stack. Differentiators include zero-cost egress, a 99.999% SLA with 50x payback, hot-resize scaling, and EU data sovereignty positioning with ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, NIST 800-53, and PCI-DSS certifications.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining product-led self-serve (14-day free trial, 45-second server deployment) with enterprise field sales for defense, public sector, and regulated workloads, and a channel partner program serving hosting providers, resellers, and managed service providers. Revenue is generated from a mix of monthly subscriptions (Cloud Server plans, Managed Databases, Managed Kubernetes, Load Balancer) and usage-based billing (GPU compute, Block Storage, Object Storage, NAT Gateway overages). Pricing is listed in EUR and USD across Starter, Premium, and Cloud Native tiers, with GPU and AI workloads billed only when compute is active. UpCloud serves more than 10,000 organizations globally, including enterprise logos such as Visma, Telia, Aiven, Oiva Health, and UNICEF, alongside long-tail SMBs, developers, digital agencies, and AI/ML workloads requiring European data residency.
UpCloud has raised approximately $24.2M across a 2016 Series A from Inventure and a 2020 Series B led by Connected Capital with participation from Inventure and Tesi, and is led by CEO Antti Vilpponen with founder Joel Pihlajamaa serving as CTO. The company is pursuing pan-Nordic geographic expansion (new regions in Norway and Denmark in 2025), product expansion into AI infrastructure and CDN, and ecosystem partnerships around sovereign AI and confidential computing. The combination of EU sovereignty, proprietary storage performance, and transparent pricing positions UpCloud as an independent European alternative to U.S. hyperscalers for regulated and performance-sensitive workloads.
UpCloud firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UpCloud
- Legal name
- UpCloud Ltd
- Website
- https://upcloud.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- UpCloud is a Helsinki-based cloud infrastructure provider operating 15 data centers across 12 countries, offering compute, GPU, storage, and managed services to 10,000+ organizations with a focus on European data sovereignty, proprietary high-performance storage, and zero-cost egress.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UpCloud industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry/Vertical Cloud Platforms (e.g., Gov/Healthcare/Financial Cloud Regions) (HDABAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Container Platforms & Orchestration (Kubernetes) (HDABADAF), Cloud-Native Development (Containers, Kubernetes, Microservices) (BPAEACAD), Kubernetes & Container Platform Management (Private Cloud) (HDABABAC), Hybrid Cloud Storage & Backup Infrastructure (HDABAMAG)
Keywords
Where UpCloud is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices14 records
Markets served
UpCloud business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cloud Server Compute: Revenue from provisioning virtual cloud servers on Starter, Premium, and Cloud Native plans. Billed hourly with maximum 28 days per month cap. Includes complimentary services like firewall, private networking, and 24h backups on applicable plans.
- GPU Server Compute: Revenue from dedicated GPU instances with NVIDIA L4, L40S, H100, and B200 GPUs. Usage-based billing where customers only pay for active compute time, eliminating costs for idle infrastructure.
- Managed Databases: Revenue from managed PostgreSQL, MySQL, Valkey, and OpenSearch database services. Features automated backups, scaling, monitoring, and 99.999% uptime SLA. Billed hourly with point-in-time recovery capabilities.
- Managed Kubernetes Service: Revenue from CNCF-certified managed Kubernetes clusters with complimentary control planes. Production plans at €60/month with free development tier available. Data plane charged per worker node configuration.
- Block Storage: Revenue from MaxIOPS (€0.220/GB/mo), Standard (€0.085/GB/mo), and Archive (€0.056/GB/mo) block storage tiers. Each Cloud Server can have up to 16 attached storage devices totaling 64TB maximum.
- Managed Object Storage: S3-compatible object storage starting at €5/month for 250GB, scaling at €0.02/GB. No egress fees with automatic scaling up to petabytes capacity.
- Load Balancer and Networking: Revenue from Managed Load Balancer (€10-75/month), NAT Gateway (€0-300/month), VPN Gateway, and networking features including Floating IPs (€3.15/month) and additional public IPv4 addresses.
- Simple Backup Service: Revenue from automated backup snapshots with Day (+10%), Week (+20%), Month (+40%), and Year (+60%) plans added to base server costs. Full snapshot backups with retention up to 12 months.
- Partner and White-Label Services: Revenue from partner program including hosting providers, resellers, and white-label cloud services. Additional revenue from affiliate program referrals and startup program cloud credits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Starter plans for development, testing, and cost-conscious workloads |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium plans for production and business-critical workloads with MaxIOPS storage |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Cloud Native plans with decoupled compute and storage for auto-scaling |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | GPU servers with NVIDIA L4 for cost-effective AI inference and video processing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | GPU servers with NVIDIA L40S for generative AI and LLM training |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | GPU servers with NVIDIA H100 for high-traffic inference and large-model training |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | GPU servers with NVIDIA B200 Blackwell architecture for trillion-parameter AI workloads |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) on single-node configuration |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Valkey in-memory database for real-time applications |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Block storage tiers for different performance and capacity requirements |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | S3-compatible object storage with automatic scaling |
| Subscription | Monthly | NAT Gateway for secure private network internet access |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Load Balancer for distributing traffic across servers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Automated backup service with configurable retention periods |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
UpCloud product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UpCloud is a Finnish cloud infrastructure provider that delivers high-performance cloud servers, GPU instances, managed databases, managed Kubernetes, and storage services across 15 data centers in 12 countries. The platform is built on 5th Gen AMD EPYC processors with proprietary MaxIOPS all-flash storage architecture, an in-house private global backbone network, and zero-cost egress. The company emphasizes European data sovereignty, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance, and a 99.999% SLA backed by a 50x service credit.
Product overview
UpCloud is a Finnish cloud infrastructure provider offering a unified cloud platform with compute, storage, networking, and managed services. The core portfolio centers on Cloud Servers (AMD EPYC-powered virtual machines with proprietary MaxIOPS storage), GPU Servers (NVIDIA L4/L40S/H100/B200 for AI/ML workloads), Private Cloud (isolated infrastructure), and Managed Kubernetes. Storage products include Block Storage (MaxIOPS/Standard/Archive tiers), File Storage (NFS-based shared storage), and Object Storage (S3-compatible). Networking features encompass Software Defined Networking, Managed Load Balancer, NAT Gateway, VPN Gateway, and Zero-cost Egress. Managed Databases support PostgreSQL, MySQL, Valkey, and OpenSearch. The platform includes complimentary UpCloud Essentials features (Kubernetes control planes, hot resize, global private network) and targets European data sovereignty with 15 data centers across 12 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cloud Servers High-performance virtual machines built on 5th Gen AMD EPYC 9575F Turin processors with DDR5 RAM and proprietary MaxIOPS storage technology. Deploys in under 45 seconds with full root access, built-in firewall, and private networking. Available in Starter, Premium, and Cloud Native plans.
- GPU Servers On-demand GPU instances featuring NVIDIA L4, L40S, H100, and B200 GPUs with usage-based billing. Optimized for AI/ML, generative AI, LLM inference, 3D rendering, and video processing workloads. Operations are 100% renewable-energy powered.
- Private Cloud Isolated cloud infrastructure with dedicated hosts providing enhanced security through dedicated resources without the public cloud's shared security model. Includes a free 2-month migration period. Targeted at regulated and security-sensitive workloads.
- Private Cloud GPUs Dedicated GPU-enabled infrastructure within the secure Private Cloud environment for workloads requiring isolation and dedicated GPU resources.
- Managed Databases Automated database hosting with backups, scaling, and monitoring. Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, Valkey, and OpenSearch with clustered configurations, automated failover, and point-in-time recovery. Backed by 99.999% uptime SLA.
- Managed Kubernetes (UKS) Fully managed Kubernetes clusters with CNCF-certified distributions. Includes complimentary control planes, built-in autoscaling, and integration with Cloud Servers, Load Balancers, and Block Storage. Production plans from €60/month with a free development tier.
- Block Storage High-speed persistent storage with three tiers: MaxIOPS (100k IOPS), Standard (10k IOPS), and Archive (600 IOPS). Supports up to 16 devices per server with encryption-at-rest. Priced from €0.056/GB/month.
- File Storage Managed NFS storage enabling multiple servers to access shared files over private networks. Provides ReadWriteMany access mode for Kubernetes persistent volumes via NFSv4.1 protocol.
- Object Storage S3-compatible scalable storage for unstructured data. Supports AES-256 encryption, versioning, lifecycle management, CORS, Object Lock, and IAM with no egress fees. Starts at €5/month for 250GB.
- Simple Backup Automated server backup service with configurable retention periods (Day, Week, Month, Year plans). Creates full snapshots without interruption to running servers. Up to 23 concurrent backups on the Year plan.
- Software Defined Networking Programmable network architecture enabling dynamic private network configurations, floating IPs, utility network, and firewall rules. Supports custom IP addressing, DHCP or static IP assignment, and unlimited server connections at no extra cost.
- Managed Load Balancer Professional-grade load balancing distributing traffic across servers with SSL certificate management, health monitoring, and high-availability options. Plans from €0 (Essentials) to €75/month.
- VPN Gateway Encrypted site-to-cloud or user-to-cloud connectivity supporting up to 10 simultaneous VPN tunnels with AES-256 security.
- Network Peering Secure high-speed network peering across the private global backbone connecting UpCloud data centers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 37% better performance with 5th Gen AMD EPYC 9575F Turin processors vs previous generation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UpCloud
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
UpCloud technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability7 records
Feature5 records
UpCloud partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Anders InnovationscoreAnders Innovations is an UpCloud partner focused on delivering European cloud expertise. The partnership provides customers with access to Anders' deep knowledge of UpCloud's platform for cloud migration, architecture, and managed services implementations across European data centers.
- Montel IntergalacticcoreMontel Intergalactic is a UpCloud partner program member providing DevOps expertise and Kubernetes services to clients across the software lifecycle. They create future-proof cloud infrastructure for clients on UpCloud, delivering Kubernetes implementations and ongoing managed services.
- Siili SolutionscoreSiili Solutions partnered with UpCloud and ConfidentialMind to deliver sovereign AI solutions for Europe. The partnership combines UpCloud's European cloud infrastructure with Siili's AI/automation expertise and ConfidentialMind's confidential computing capabilities.
- ConfidentialMindcoreConfidentialMind partnered with UpCloud and Siili Solutions to deliver sovereign AI for Europe. Together they offer a fully sovereign, European AI solution run in European data centers with transparent operations and regulatory adherence.
- BitmoreminorUpCloud and Bitmore deepened their partnership to bring secure hybrid cloud solutions to more Finnish organizations. Bitmore serves as a channel partner reselling UpCloud's cloud services with hybrid cloud integration capabilities.
- KnowitminorKnowit partnered with UpCloud to deliver European cloud for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The partnership targets organizations requiring European data sovereignty while maintaining multi-cloud flexibility.
- Maria 01minorUpCloud partnered with Maria 01 startup campus to support the next wave of Finnish and European startups. The partnership provides startup program benefits, cloud credits, and technical support for qualifying startups in the Maria 01 ecosystem.
- Green MountainminorGreen Mountain provides data center facilities for UpCloud's Norway region in Rennesøy near Stavanger. The facility is powered by renewable energy with deep-water fjord cooling for sustainable infrastructure operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UpCloud competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Hyperscale cloud platform with EC2, EBS, S3, EKS, and extensive PaaS/SaaS. Sets the industry benchmark UpCloud competes against on performance, pricing, and ecosystem depth.
- Microsoft Azure: Hyperscale cloud platform with virtual machines, AKS, managed databases, and AI services. Largest enterprise incumbent that UpCloud positions against for European sovereign-cloud and regulated workloads.
- Google Cloud: Hyperscale cloud offering Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, Cloud Storage, and AI/ML platforms. Competes with UpCloud on cloud servers, managed Kubernetes, and GPU/AI workloads with broader global footprint.
Direct peers
- Linode (Akamai Cloud): SMB-focused cloud provider with global locations, simple cloud servers, Kubernetes, and object storage, now part of Akamai. Long-standing direct competitor to UpCloud in the developer/SMB IaaS market.
- DigitalOcean: Public US-based IaaS provider targeting SMBs, developers, and startups with simple cloud servers, managed Kubernetes, databases, and object storage. Highly comparable product surface and customer base to UpCloud.
- Vultr: Global IaaS provider with 32 locations focused on high-performance cloud compute, GPUs, and bare metal at low prices targeting developers and SMBs. Direct competitor on price/performance and global footprint.
- IONOS (1&1 IONOS): European hosting and cloud provider offering cloud servers, managed Kubernetes, S3-compatible object storage, and GPU services with EU data centers. Comparable European SMB and SMB-plus-enterprise positioning to UpCloud.
- Scaleway: European IaaS provider offering bare metal, cloud instances, GPU servers (including NVIDIA H100), object storage, and managed Kubernetes with strong focus on EU data sovereignty. Closest European peer to UpCloud on AI/GPU and sovereignty positioning.
- OVHcloud: French-based hyperscale cloud provider offering IaaS, bare metal, hosted private cloud, and now GPU servers focused on European data sovereignty. Most directly comparable European IaaS peer to UpCloud, with broader scale and public-market backing.
- Hetzner: German cloud and dedicated server provider competing on price-performance for SMBs and developers. Closest privately held European peer to UpCloud in positioning (low-cost IaaS, strong EU footprint, minimal egress fees on certain products).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UpCloud social profiles
Digital presenceUpCloud compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
UpCloud financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UpCloud leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
UpCloud funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UpCloud M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UpCloud
What does UpCloud do?
UpCloud is a Finnish cloud infrastructure provider that delivers high-performance cloud servers, GPU instances, managed databases, managed Kubernetes, and storage services across 15 data centers in 12 countries. The platform is built on 5th Gen AMD EPYC processors with proprietary MaxIOPS all-flash storage architecture, an in-house private global backbone network, and zero-cost egress. The company emphasizes European data sovereignty, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance, and a 99.999% SLA backed by a 50x service credit.
Is UpCloud a public or private company?
UpCloud is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was UpCloud founded?
UpCloud was founded in 2011. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is UpCloud based?
UpCloud is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does UpCloud make money?
Nine revenue lines are on record. Cloud Server Compute is the primary driver. The others are GPU Server Compute, managed Databases, managed Kubernetes Service, block Storage, managed Object Storage, load Balancer and Networking, simple Backup Service and partner and White-Label Services.
Who are UpCloud's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Direct peers are Linode (Akamai Cloud), DigitalOcean, Vultr, IONOS (1&1 IONOS), Scaleway, OVHcloud and Hetzner.
Does UpCloud have an API?
Yes. UpCloud provides a fully-featured REST API that covers the complete lifecycle of Cloud Servers, including creation, configuration, storage management, networking, and deletion. The API powers the Control Panel and integrates with the rest of the UpCloud platform. Official support is available for Terraform and a CLI tool, making it straightforward to integrate Cloud Servers into infrastructure-as-code workflows and CI/CD pipelines. Developer documentation is at developers.upcloud.com.
What industry is UpCloud in?
UpCloud's product category is Cloud Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAAAL, Industry/Vertical Cloud Platforms (e.g., Gov/Healthcare/Financial Cloud Regions), with a secondary code of HDABADAF, Container Platforms & Orchestration (Kubernetes). Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.